Human Rights

Human Rights: Background

The human rights industry represents a large number of interests ranging from health awareness organizations to anti-poverty groups to Native American tribes.

The contributions and lobbying efforts by this industry have continued to climb in recent years as organizations supporting minority rights push for legislation in a Congress now controlled by Democrats, who have historically supported many of their causes. Contributions from this industry to federal candidates and political committees hovered near $4.5 million during the 2000, 2002 and 2004 election cycles. More recently, they've spiked, with the industry donating $5.8 million during the 2006 election cycle and $7.7 million in the 2008 cycle.

Historically, the vast majority of money from this industry has gone to Democrats. In 2008, Democrats received 87 percent of the industry's contributions. With Congress under Democratic control, human rights organizations have chosen to step up their game in order to take advantage of more sympathetic ears on Capitol Hill and advance legislation in support of the minority groups that they represent.

The human rights industry has also increased its federal lobbying efforts in recent years, spending more than $50.4 million to influence federal lawmakers and agencies in 2008. Only five years before, in 2003, the industry spent less than half that amount -- $24 million - on federal lobbying efforts.

The Human Rights Campaign has led the way in contributions for the past decade, spending more than $1.3 million during the 2008 election cycle to advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. In doing so, it earned a place in the Center for Responsive Politics' "Heavy Hitters" category of federal-level influence. Much of HRC's efforts have gone toward supporting the passage of the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, in addition to legislation regarding domestic partnership benefits and increased appropriations for HIV/AIDS prevention.

These efforts are expected to continue into 2010, with more than $1 million in human rights industry money already donated to federal political candidates and parties during the cycle.

-- Cassandra LaRussa

Updated January 2010

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